Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Gulf states: PIA announces operational cutbacks

KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced a series of operational cutbacks, including the suspension of flights to Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, and several Gulf destinations as the airline battles a fourth consecutive hike in international jet fuel prices.

According to PIA spokesman, the decisions were taken during a high-level internal meeting convened to assess the financial impact of persistently rising aviation fuel costs and to devise a strategy to mitigate potential losses.

PIA has decided to eliminate all passenger discounts across its network. Under the revised policy, only children and infants will continue to receive fare concessions.

Moreover, PIA will halt its Beijing operations from April 11 and its Kuala Lumpur service from April 14. Flights to Gulf countries — with the exception of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia — are also being suspended until the end of April. Meanwhile, PIA’s UAE operations will be significantly scaled back, capped at a maximum of 16 flights per week.

Speaking on the development, a PIA spokesperson confirmed that the decisions came in direct response to the fourth successive increase in jet fuel prices. “The entire burden of rising fuel costs cannot be passed on to passengers, which is why some tough administrative decisions have had to be made,” the spokesperson said.

The airline, however, struck a cautiously optimistic tone regarding the future of the affected routes. “We are hopeful that international fuel prices will return to normal levels soon, after which all suspended routes will be restored,” the spokesperson added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026